Curse

Talesin Darkbriar · Jun 17, 2005, 05:40 PM // 17:40

I've read a few references to this several times in other threads;
Is it true that most of you keep your character's primary/secondary builds static throughout the game? (Never change what skills you put points into)

Or are you like myself, and constantly trying new combinations to discover what works best for each situation?

Free example:
After getting my giblets served to me in the ring of fire specced as a fire mage, I went back and retried the mission completely respecced as a water mage.
Aye, the fights took a tad longer, but victory was mine.
Easily so...

I'm curious to hear from you all!

Talesin

Phaedrus · Jun 17, 2005, 05:52 PM // 17:52

My elem was primary fire/earth until more air/water skills were available. This is frustrating for more advanced players but I understand why it was balanced this way. I didn't really respec until the last mission, where air is king.

My monk has always been a healer. I tried a stint as a divine healer, but I've found that it's really ineffective if I'm the only monk. I go protection if I have to...I'm good at it but I don't enjoy it the same way I enjoy healing. It's like playing a mesmer...when you're good at it, no one will really notice what you do but life will just have this certain air of being better. The same is true for monks, but especially prot monks.

But yeah, a big part of why my classes stayed so "locked" is that Guild Wars doesn't allow you to try your hand at full protection early on when you have like three prot skills. It doesn't let you try your hand at water magic when you're 25% of a group and your inexperience could easily be the reason your group falls. By the time you can do these things you're either attached to what you do or galloping toward the new shiny attribute.

[ ]

dansamy · Jun 17, 2005, 06:06 PM // 18:06

Oh, I'm super flexible. I love refund points! When I do UW, I'm fire/earth. When I'm in most other areas, I'm fire only. If needed, I am an Arcane Healer. When soloing, I usually use smite since they are all gonna pile on top of me.

Kuku Monk · Jun 17, 2005, 06:12 PM // 18:12

I've been a Flaming Dominator

since I've started...gotten into a nice groove with it

Acheus Lokine · Jun 17, 2005, 07:04 PM // 19:04

I only change if it's absolutely needed, but so far it hasn't. The last time I changed was when I dropped Beast Mastery and redistributed those points evenly to my other used classes.

Volarian · Jun 17, 2005, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Have to agree with the fact that some classes may be limited to spells of a specific element or attribute early on, so most don't waste putting pts into that area and grow accustomed to what they use throughout most of the game.
I started E/R, but after ascension switched to E/Mo in part to help myself but also give me more a party friendly build. I'm still primarily a Pyro/Energy build, but will redistribute and try other aspects once I get a Sup Vig to go with my Sup Fire....this way I can still burn the hell out of most things but have 30 some odd pts to play with elsewhere.

Eclair · Jun 17, 2005, 07:17 PM // 19:17

Switched from fire to earth in the crystal desert. The casting times on the fire spells pretty much left me wide open for disrupting shot from the devourers and the various mesmer interrupts from the storm keepers. Switched to IW as a main method of damage with earth backup for defense and AL ignoring finishes in the shiverpeaks (the AL of most monsters made any Non-AL ignoring spells do pitiful damage). Switched to Earth/Water in the ring of fire islands for massive ward dropping (harm, melee, elemental made my team nearly invincible) and disruption via maelstrom. Just recently switched out Crystal Wave for conjure Frost for some boosted damage on my water staff =).

Epinephrine · Jun 17, 2005, 07:39 PM // 19:39

I change all the time. My attributes fluctuate nearly every time I play, and my skills do as well. I will (on my R/Mo for example) go in with Expertise/Marksmanship/Smiting, then later that day play with Wilderness instead of Smiting, or BM instead of Smiting, or rebalance completely, throw on Druid armour and play Expertise/Protection/BM for fun.

wedge · Jun 17, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58

I too love my refund points. My W/Me is a good example. I recently was playing mostly Warrior skills and got my rear handed to me by a simple Necro mob exploding a corpse. I threw in some mesmer domination and been really enjoying it. Same is true for some of my other characters. Change is good.

Rhunex · Jun 17, 2005, 09:02 PM // 21:02

I usually keep to static stats, it's just the way I am. Because I play so many FPS games, I can get used to certain hotkeys really easily, and once I know them, I don't even have to think about using them to use them. So, I usually keep my skills static, and my stat points static as well, because it's just annoying to me to constantly change everything so I actually have to concentrate in battle

But, I have changed stats a few times to suit the needs of certain maps, because going in with all my skills certain types, it just doesn't work out(like using corpse spells in undead areas...big no no for me).

Talesin Darkbriar · Jun 17, 2005, 09:11 PM // 21:11

Don't get me wrong, static builds work very well in many situations. And as a few of you have stated; earlier on you really don't have many choices.
I have really been enjoying respeccing as different mage types just to see what opportunities become available.
I soloed the Abaddon's Mouth mission today as a water mage - the Jades and mursaat don't fare well at all versus maelstrom and the various slowing spells.

Tal

Goonter · Jun 18, 2005, 12:54 AM // 00:54

I think static builds are more dependable if youre playing by yourself with a team. What I mean is, your in a team that groups together and then leaves for a mission with little to no planning.
Everyone sort of has an idea of what the other class is going to do, so if you forfill your basic role then youll last better. If you try something different youll get some questions and people dont working with how your playing.

Now if your in a team that is creative together, works together, builds around each other, then trying new things should yeild better success.

Spike · Jun 18, 2005, 02:36 AM // 02:36

Well I started as a Fire mage/mezmer and finished the game the same way. Someone told me i needed to respec to water to finish the game but i had so few water spells I did'nt see the point and my fire magic worked all most as well anyway. I recently changed 2nd proff to monk as I wanted to be able to heal and rez other party members and was'nt useing any mezmer skills.

speedtouch · Jun 18, 2005, 03:27 AM // 03:27

My main character (R/MO) only uses healing spring, posion arrow (or replaces it with ignite arrow agansit a undead area), power shot, charm animal, comfort animal, resurect,Troll ungeunt, and orison of healing.

I mainly only buy skills for my PvP characters